Heartland: If you're just joining us here at the World Duel Carnival, please help us extend a warm congratulations to Kite on his outstanding victory! He along with Vetrix are the first to earn a spot in the semifinals, leaving four competitors and two slots in the finals. Who will claim them?
Bronk: Looks like Troy struck out.
Caswell: Whoever did it must've been pretty skilled.
Meanwhile, Yuma was driving through the Dragon's Den looking for a duel field, when Astral felt a strong energy.
Astral: I am sensing a powerful pulse of energy up ahead, Yuma.
Yuma: What kind of energy?
Astral: I believe it is the power of the crest.
Yuma: Which means it's Quattro. I say we should check it out.
Astral: Be cautious.
Heartland: It's time to turn up the heat. Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you, the Magma Field! It looks like Shark and Quattro are headed there for a fiery face-off.
Shark and Quattro arrived and took places across opposite sides of a pool of lava.
Shark: I finally caught up with you. You get tired of running?
Quattro: From you? Please. I wasn't running away, I was leading you here. Your deck is full of water monsters. None of your monsters can survive in this scorching inferno.
Jen: Alright Quattro! Take a bite out of Shark!
Bronk: She wouldn't be rooting for him if she knew what Quattro was really like.
Caswell: I'll say. In the end, Quattro is just a lying, self-serving snake!
Shark and Quattro: Let's duel!
Shark: 4000 LP
Quattro: 4000 LP
Shark: I'll go first, and I play the spell Plate Salvage! This card will negate the effects of the Magma Field for two turns!
The whole field became covered in ice, blocking all the lava. Just then, Yuma, Tori, and Astral arrived at the duel field.
Yuma: Check it out, Shark is dueling Quattro. This is a duel I have to see.
Shark: Yuma?
Quattro: How nice of you to join us.
Tori: Wait, isn't this supposed to be the Magma Field?
Yuma: Yeah, what gives? It's freezing here. Ah-choo!
Astral: Clever. Shark must've realized the field spell put him at a disadvantage and negated it using a spell card.
Just then, a hologram of Vetrix appeared in the air above them.
Vetrix: How I've waited for this. Quattro, at long last squaring off against Shark. I set the wheels in motion for this duel long ago, so you can be quite sure I'll be keeping my eye on this one.
Shark: I summon Tripod Fish in attack mode!
Level 3/Water/Fish
ATK 300/DEF 1300
Shark: And since I summoned a fish type monster, I can special summon Shark Stickers from my hand!
Level 3/Water/Fish
ATK 200/DEF 1000
Yuma: He's got two level 3 monsters out.
Shark: I overlay level 3 Tripod Fish and Shark Stickers in order to build the overlay network! I xyz summon Submersible Carrier Aero Shark!
Rank 3/Water/Fish
ATK 1900/DEF 1000
Shark: And now I activate its special ability! By using one overlay unit, it deals you 400 points of damage for each card in my hand, so since I've got three cards, you take 1200 points of damage. Go, Torpedo Takedown!
His monster fired a barrage of torpedoes at Quattro, knocking him onto his back.
Quattro: 2800 LP
Astral: Well done.
Yuma: Shark dealt a big blow on his first turn. Way to go Shark!
Bronk: Keep it up Shark!
Caswell: Yeah, and take Quattro down!
Shark: I place two cards face-down and end my turn.
Quattro: You think you're hot stuff summoning an xyz monster on your first turn, huh? Well I was counting on that Shark. I draw! Since I control no monsters and you have an xyz monster on the field, I can special summon Gimmick Puppet Magnet Doll from my hand!
Level 8/Dark/Machine
ATK & DEF 1000
Quattro: And I'll follow that up by summoning Gimmick Puppet Gear Changer!
Level 1/Earth/Machine
ATK & DEF 100
Quattro: And now I activate Gear Changer's special ability! This monster can change its level to match the level of another Gimmick Puppet I control, so Gear Changer becomes level 8 like my Magnet Doll!
Changer: Level 1-8
Tori: This doesn't look good for Shark.
Quattro: Now I overlay my level 8 Gear Changer and Magnet Doll! With these two monsters, I build the overlay network and xyz summon Number 15: Gimmick Puppet Giant Grinder!
Rank 8/Dark/Machine
ATK 1500/DEF 2500
Tori: That's bad.
Yuma: You can say that again. That's the monster that put Bronk and Caswell in a world of hurt.
Quattro: You are way out of your league, and soon you'll be sunk Shark, and unfortunately for you, this is just the beginning.
Suddenly, the screens in the viewing arena went out again, much to the audience's dismay.
Heartland: Oh no, not again. What on earth is happening with the video feed? More technical difficulties? How disappointing. It couldn't have happened at a worse time, I mean the duel was really heating up. Who is doing this?
Vetrix: A duel like this should have the dignity of privacy, so I took care of the cameras. The bitter hatred between Quattro and Shark runs very deep, and without any prying eyes, I can do as I please.
Quattro: I activate Giant Grinder's special ability! By using one overlay unit, it destroys all other xyz monsters on the field and deals damage to their owners equal to the destroyed monsters' attack points.
Giant Grinder fired threads of energy from its hands that grabbed Aero Shark, pulling it into the grinder in its chest and destroying it. Then, a cannon came out of its chest and blasted Shark.
Shark: 2100 LP
Yuma: Shark! Are you okay?
Quattro: If he is, he won't be for long. Giant Grinder, attack him directly!
His monster pulled a whip from a compartment in its arm and swung it at Shark.
Shark: Don't think so Quattro. I activate the continuous trap Bubble Bringer! This card stops your attack.
A blast shot from his trap, destroying Giant Grinder's whip.
Yuma: Sweet move.
Quattro: You may have stopped my attack, but you won't stop the sudden change in climate. Since it's been two turns, the effect of your Plate Salvage wears off, which means the field spell is active again.
The volcanoes around them erupted, melting all the ice away.
Astral: This is bad for Shark.
Shark: I don't need a field spell to beat you. Just watch. I draw! And I summon Hammer Shark in attack mode!
Level 4/Water/Fish
ATK 1700/DEF 1500
Quattro: You fool. Whenever you summon a water attribute monster, the effect of the Magma Field activates, destroying it.
A plume of lava sprung up before angling towards Hammer Shark, but before it touched it, an energy barrier appeared in front of the monster, protecting it.
Quattro: What?
Shark: Did you really think I didn't have a plan for when Plate Salvage wore off? One of the cards I set last round was the continuous trap Adapt to Adversity, and thanks to it, my monsters won't be destroyed by the field spell.
Astral: A well calculated move. Shark is truly an unpredictable duelist.
Shark: And since my monsters are safe, I activate the effect of Bubble Bringer! By sending it to the graveyard, I can special summon Tripod Fish from my graveyard. But I'm not done there. When Tripod Fish is special summoned from the graveyard, its level is raised by one.
Tripod: Level 3-4
Shark: Quattro, today I get revenge for everything you've done. Setting me up and getting me disqualified from the nationals. And worse, putting my little sister in the hospital. I will defeat you Quattro, no matter what the cost.
Yuma: This could get ugly.
Shark: Since Tripod Fish was brought back using Bubble Bringer, it counts as two monsters when I xyz summon, so I overlay Hammer Shark and my double-counting Tripod Fish. With these 3 monsters, I build the overlay network and xyz summon Number 32: Shark Drake!
Rank 4/Water/Sea Serpent
ATK 2800/DEF 2100
Quattro: How did Shark get a hold of Shark Drake?
Yuma: That's the monster he got from Trey.
Vetrix: This duel is progressing exactly as I had hoped. Now Shark, give in to your anger so that Shark Drake may take hold.
Quattro: That number belonged to Trey. Did Vetrix use him to pass the number to Shark? Has he been plotting this duel the whole time?
Vetrix then appeared behind Quattro, invisible to everyone else.
Vetrix: Why yes. Didn't I mention it?
Quattro: What? Why didn't you tell me?
Vetrix: Telling you would only have compromised the security of my plan Quattro, and who knows who you might've told? You see everyone has their role to play. Trey and Quinton, even you my boy.
Quattro: That so? So what's my role then?
Vetrix: To drive Shark's rage, making his anger soar to new heights. And the angrier Shark gets, the quicker the number consumes him.
Quattro: Let me get this straight, you just used me to make Shark angry and summon Shark Drake?
Vetrix: That's about it.
Shark: Now Shark Drake, attack Giant Grinder!
Shark Drake bit down on Giant Grinder, breaking him into pieces.
Quattro: 1500 LP
Shark: Now I activate Shark Drake's special ability! By using one overlay unit, Giant Grinder is summoned back to your field in attack mode with its attack points reduced by 1000!
Tori: Why would Shark revive Quattro's monster?
Astral: When Shark Drake uses its special ability, it can attack once again.
Yuma: Yeah. If Shark pulls this off, he'll win the duel.
Quattro: I know why you want to bring back Giant Grinder, and it's not happening. I activate the effect of Gimmick Puppet Twilight Joker from my hand! By banishing Giant Grinder from my graveyard, I can special summon this monster from my hand!
Level 8/Dark/Machine
ATK 800/DEF 1600
Astral: Since Giant Grinder was banished, Shark Drake's effect fails, which means it cannot attack again this turn.
Yuma: And he was so close.
Vetrix: That was close Quattro. A most impressive countermeasure. But, it remains to be seen if your quick thinking was a fluke or a harbinger of things to come.
Quattro: Be quiet Vetrix!
Shark: What?
Yuma: Did he say Vetrix?
Shark: If you're really here then stop hiding.
Vetrix obliged and appeared in front of him.
Vetrix: As you wish.
Shark lunged at him, but he disappeared.
Yuma: He is here!
Astral: Not quite. It seems Vetrix is using the power of the crest to speak with us from afar.
Vetrix: How very astute of you Astral.
Astral: Vetrix, why are you spying on Quattro and Shark's duel? What is your purpose? I demand that you answer me.
Vetrix: Well, since you asked so nicely, I guess I'll share my plot with you all, because there is no stopping me now.
Vetrix then appeared in front of the three of them.
Vetrix: I intend for the number Shark Drake to consume Shark. That will make him prone to my influence and I can then use him to finish Dr. Faker.
Yuma: No way!
Shark: Think again. You're not using me for anything, understand?
Vetrix: Oh, I beg to disagree. I can be quite convincing. You will be my puppet doing exactly as I wish, powerless to defy me.
Quattro: But why Shark and not me? I'm the better duelist! Please, let me take on Dr. Faker.
Vetrix: I tire of repeating this to you Quattro. Each person has their own role to fill in my plans, and to be quite clear, you are not the stronger duelist. That honor goes to Shark.
Quattro: I will never accept that! I will show you who the stronger duelist is! I will prove that you misjudged me by beating him in this duel. It's my turn, so I draw! And now I play the spell Gimmick Puppet Ritual! Since my life points are 2000 or less, I can summon a Gimmick Puppet from my graveyard, so I'm bringing back Magnet Doll!
Yuma: He has two level 8 monsters!
Quattro: I overlay Twilight Joker and Magnet Doll! With these monsters, I build the overlay network and xyz summon Number 40: Gimmick Puppet of Strings!
Rank 8/Dark/Machine
ATK 3000/DEF 2000
Quattro: And now I equip Gimmick Puppet of Strings with the spell String of Destiny! Now when my monster attacks for the first time each turn, I send the top card of my deck to the graveyard, and if that card is a monster, then Strings can make attacks up to that monster's level, but if it's not a monster, my battle phase ends.
He revealed the top card of his deck, which was his Gimmick Puppet Dreary Doll.
Quattro: Since Dreary Doll is level 8, Gimmick Puppet of Strings can attack 8 times! And here's the fun part, your Shark Drake won't be destroyed by any of my attacks since it's in attack mode!
Yuma: What?
Astral: That is a powerful special effect.
Quattro: Now attack Shark Drake with Celestial Slash!
Gimmick Puppet of Strings raised his sword and slashed Shark Drake, but didn't damage him, but the shockwave from the attack pushed Shark back.
Shark: 1900 LP
Yuma: Shark!
Astral: Due to String of Destiny's effect, Shark Drake will not be destroyed, but since it is in attack mode, Shark will continue to take damage.
Quattro: Strike him again!
Shark: 1700 LP
Quattro: Don't stop! Keep attacking!
His monster continued to attack Shark Drake, pummeling Shark with each blow.
Tori: I can't watch.
Shark: 1500 LP
Yuma: Quattro, what you're doing is wrong! Dueling has nothing to do with giving in to your anger.
Vetrix: Oh, to the contrary.
Vetrix's crest flashed and a band of chains appeared around Yuma, pinning him to the spot.
Vetrix: I can't allow you to interfere, so relax, sit tight, and enjoy the show.
Quattro: Hit him again!
Shark: 1300 LP
Yuma: Stop it Quattro! Dueling isn't about causing pain!
Quattro: I can't say I agree. My only concern is that Shark may be getting used to the punishment. In case you're not keeping count, we're only on attack number 5!
Shark: 1100 LP
Yuma: This isn't what a duel is supposed to be about. A real duel is a way to forge friendships that last lifetimes!
Vetrix: You are just like your father Kazuma. You're both misguided fools.
Yuma: Be quiet.
Vetrix: He would prattle on about dueling being about friendship and other such nonsense.
Yuma: Don't you dare talk about my father!
Vetrix: Consider that nerve touched. Am I making you angry? I certainly hope so.
Yuma: Grr.
Vetrix: Your anger will deliver you further and further into my clutches, so stay angry. Do you have something to say? If so, then say it. Let me hear what's on your mind.
Yuma: Everyone who's life you touch suffers Vetrix! You attacked Troy's sister and drove him into anger and sadness, and then you took all their memories! And you used your own sons as tools for revenge!
Vetrix: Yes Yuma, let your anger for me burn like a wildfire. I can sense your anger growing, it's so delightful. Very soon you'll be mine.
Yuma: Enough!
Quattro: Now Gimmick Puppet of Strings, deal the last attack!
Shark: 500 LP
Quattro: Even though my attacks are finished, I'm not done yet. I use one overlay unit to activate the effect of Gimmick Puppet of Strings! Now your Shark Drake gains a string counter, and during your next end phase, it'll be destroyed and you'll take its attack points as damage! With that, I end my turn and your chances of winning!
Yuma: Shark, get up! You can't quit now!
No matter what Yuma shouted at Shark, he didn't move.
Tori: He's really hurt. Can he even get up after all those attacks?
Yuma: Shark!
To be continued...